Variable-resistance exercise device

ABSTRACT

A portable, variable-resistance exercise device comprised of a retractable cable connected to a spring assembly, the spring having a plurality of springs that are selectively connectable to each other to vary the resistance exerted on the cable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, moreparticularly, to a variable-resistance exercise device that islightweight and portable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The benefits of exercise and weight training to the health of anindividual cannot be underestimated. The recognized benefits of exerciseand strength training have led to an increase in the number of gyms andworkout facilities where individuals can exercise under the guidance andinstruction of trained professionals who can tailor workout routinesparticularly suited for an individual's age, health, and condition.

For some individuals, the cost of training at a workout facility underthe guidance of a trained professional can be cost prohibitive. Forothers, such as the elderly or infirmed who may be bedridden, theability to partake in supervised activities at gyms and workoutfacilities is greatly limited. Still further, there are instances wherean individual who normally trains at a facility may be required totravel to locations where access to a workout facility is not available.

As a result, there is a need for a workout device that is portable,wherein individuals can utilize a variable-resistance device to obtain aworkout at remote locations and a device that is suitable for use by theelderly at home or by the infirmed in a hospital setting.

The present invention provides a variable-resistance exercise devicethat is lightweight and portable and that may be used in a variety ofsettings by individuals having a wide range of physical abilities. Inaddition, the present invention provides an exercise device as describedabove together with a workout routine that can be designed to addressthe different physical abilities of a specific user of the exercisedevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a portable, variable-resistance exercise devicecomprised of a retractable cable connected to a spring assembly, thespring assembly having a plurality of springs that are selectivelyconnectable to each other to vary the resistance exerted on

The advantage of the present invention is an exercise device that islightweight and portable.

Another advantage of the present invention is an exercise device thathas variable-resistance settings.

Another advantage of the present invention is an exercise device asdescribed above that includes a memory means for storing data relatingto a user's workout routine.

Another advantage of the present invention is an exercise device asdescribed above that is capable of storing data relating to the numberof repetitions, resistance (workload), and resistance settings during aworkout routine.

Another advantage of the present invention is an exercise device asdescribed above including means for connecting the exercise device to anexternal computer or database for storing data relating to an exerciseroutine (workout).

Another advantage of the present invention is an exercise device asdescribed above that is suitable for use by individuals of all ages andabilities.

A still further advantage of the present invention is an exercise deviceas described above that may be used by patients confined to wheelchairsor hospital beds.

A still further advantage of the present invention is an exercise deviceas described above that includes a retractable cable having hand grips,ankle straps, and leg straps that are attachable to the retractablecable.

A still further advantage of the present invention is an exercise deviceas described above that includes an adjustable spring assembly that isadjustable to adjust the resistance exerted on the cable of the exercisedevice.

A still further advantage of the present invention is an exercise deviceas described above that includes a multiple spring assembly wherein oneor more springs may be connected together to vary the resistance of thecable of the exercise device.

A still further advantage of the present invention is an exercise deviceas described above that includes sensing means for sensing operatingparameters of the exercise device.

A still further advantage of the present invention is an exercise deviceas described above that includes sensing means that senses the number ofrepetitions during a specific exercise and the resistance exerted duringsuch exercise.

These and other advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment taken together with theaccompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthe specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device, illustrating apreferred embodiment of the present invention and showing the exercisedevice attached to an upper edge of a door;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view, showing the exercise device ofFIG. 1 attached to an upper edge of a door and being used to perform afirst type of arm exercise;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view, showing the exercise device ofFIG. 1 attached to a lower edge of a door and being used to perform asecond type of arm exercise;

FIG. 4 is a front, elevational view of a door and a door frame, showingtwo spaced-apart exercise devices as show in FIG. 1 mounted to the doorto be used together to perform another type of exercise;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1,showing a device mounted to a door jamb;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bedridden patient and the exercisedevice shown in FIG. 1 attached to a bed frame for use by the patient;and

FIG. 9 is a front view partially in section of the exercise device,illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for thepurpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1-8 show an exercise device 10,illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Exercisedevice 10 is designed for use in combination with a specific workoutprogram stored in digital format on a computer or other electronicdevice, as shall be described in greater detail below.

Exercise device 10 is adapted for mounting to a support surface, suchas, by way of example and not limitation, a door 12 mounted to a frame14, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. In the drawing, door 12 and frame 14are shown with a wall 16 and a floor 18. As will be described in greaterdetail below, it is also contemplated that exercise device 10 could bemounted to the frame of a wheelchair or bed.

Exercise device 10, best seen in FIGS. 5-7, is basically comprised of ahousing 20 containing a cable assembly 100 and a spring assembly 200.Housing 20 has a first housing section 22 and a second housing section24. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, first housing section 22 isgenerally rectangular in shape and defines a generally rectangular innercavity 26. First housing section 22 has a flat bottom wall 22 a and fourflat side walls 22 b, 22 c, 22 d, 22 e extending to one side thereof. Ashort knee wall or divider wall 22 f extends from side wall 22 c. Kneewall 22 f is generally parallel to bottom wall 22 a and defines a firstcompartment 32 and a second compartment 34, best seen in FIG. 7, withinhousing 20. A hole or opening 36, best seen in FIG. 7, is formed in kneewall 22 f, as shall be described in greater detail below.

A generally cylindrical mounting post 42 extends from the inner surfaceof bottom wall 22 a. Post 42 is cylindrical in shape and extends alongan axis designated “A” in the drawings. A cylindrical collar 44 isformed at the base of post 42 where post 42 extends from bottom wall 22a. Post 42 is generally disposed in the center of bottom wall 22 a.

An opening 52′ is formed in side wall 22 c. Opening 52 is disposed infirst compartment 32 and is dimensioned to receive a grommet 54 therein.Grommet 54 is generally tubular in shape and defines an opening 52′through side wall 22 c. A pair of mounting lugs 62, 64 is formed on theouter surface of side wall 22 b of first housing section 22. Lugs 62, 64are spaced apart and are formed to be generally aligned with the edge ofbottom wall 22 a. Each lug 62, 64 has a bore 66 formed therethrough.Bores 66 in the lugs 62, 64 are axially aligned along the edge of sidewall 22 b of first housing section 22.

Second housing section 24 is dimensioned to be attached to first housingsection 22. In the embodiment shown, second housing section 24 isessentially a flat rectangular plate having openings 72 formed at thecorners thereof. Openings 72 are dimensioned to receive conventionalfasteners 74, such as, by way of example and not limitation, cap screws.Fasteners 74 are to be received in threaded openings 76 in first housingsection 22, as illustrated in the drawings. Fasteners 74 attach secondhousing section 24 to first housing section 22 to enclose inner cavity26.

Second housing section 24 has a hub 82 formed on the inner surfacethereof. An opening 84 extends through hub 82. Opening 84 is disposed tobe axially aligned with axis “A” and post 42 on first housing section22, when second housing section 24 is attached to first housing section22. Opening 92 is formed through second housing section 24 and isdisposed to be axially aligned with opening 36 in knee wall 22 f, whensecond housing section 24 is attached to first housing section 22. Asbest seen in FIG. 7, opening 92 extends through a boss 94 formed on theinner surface of second housing section 24.

Cable assembly 100 is dimensioned to be received within firstcompartment 32 within housing 20. Cable assembly 100 is comprised of aspool 112 having a cable 114 mounted thereon. Spool 112 has a centralhub 112 a, best seen in FIG. 5. Hub 112 a has a cylindrical inner cavity112 b dimensioned to receive post 42 on first housing section 22. Spool112 includes a circular plate 112 c that surrounds hub 112 a. An annularcollar 112 d is formed along the periphery of circular plate 112 c.Collar 112 d is generally U-shaped and includes a bottom wall section112 e and two spaced-apart wall sections 112 f that together define anannular channel 116 to receive cable 114. Cable 114 has a first endattached to spool 112 and a free end. Cable 114 has a predeterminedlength. In one embodiment, cable 114 has a length of at least 15 feet.In another embodiment, cable 114 has a length of between 15 and 30 feet.Cable 114 is dimensioned to be wound onto spool 112 within annularchannel 116 defined by collar 112 d.

An elongated pin 122 extends axially from one side of spool 112. A slot124 is formed along the axis of pin 122, as best seen in FIG. 7. Spool112 is symmetrical about an axis through hub 112 a and pin 122.

Spool 112 is dimensioned to be received within first compartment 32defined within housing 20. Spool 112 is rotatably mounted on post 42,such that spool 112 and pin 122 are rotatable about axis “A.” As bestseen in FIG. 5, grommet 54 is disposed to be aligned and in registrywith spool 112 such that the free end of cable 114 can extend throughopening 52′ in grommet 54, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Spring assembly 200 is attachable to cable assembly 100 to create aselectively variable-resistance force on cable assembly 100. Springassembly 200 is comprised of a plurality of springs that are selectivelyconnectable to each other to produce a variable-resistance force toresist rotation of spool 112 on post 42. In the embodiment shown, threecoiled springs 210, 220, 230 are provided. Each spring 210, 220, 230 hasan inner end 212, 222, 232, respectively, that is formed into agenerally L-shaped configuration and an outer end 214, 224, 234,respectively, formed into a generally U-shaped configuration, best seenin FIG. 7. L-shaped inner ends 212. 222, 232 include a flat portion thatis dimensioned to be received within slot 124 in pin 122, as best seenin FIG. 6. As shown in the drawings, springs 210, 220, 230 are mountedside-by-side on pin 122 of spool 112, with each inner end 212, 222, 232of springs 210, 220, 230 attached to pin 122, such that inner ends 212,222, 232 of coiled springs 210, 220, 230 are rotatable with pin 122about axis “A.”

Outer end 214 of spring 210 is disposed to capture boss 94 on the innersurface of second housing section 24. In this respect, when secondhousing section 24 is attached to first housing section 22, springs 210,220, 230 are captured on pin 122 of spool 112 between spool 112 and theinner surface of second housing section 24. Pin 122 on spool 112 isdimensioned such that the free end thereof extends into opening 84 inhub 82 of second housing section 24, such that the free end of pin 122is supported by second housing section 24. Boss 94 on the inner surfaceof second housing section 24 is positioned to engage the U-shaped outerend 214 of spring 210. In this respect, U-shaped outer end 214 of spring210 is positioned to capture and abut against boss 94.

A selector pin 252 is dimensioned to extend into housing 20 throughopening 92 in second housing section 24. Selector pin 252 includes aknurled head 254 and elongated shaft 256. Shaft 256 is dimensioned to beable to extend into opening 36 in knee wall 22 f. As will be describedin greater detail below, selector pin 252 is provided to capture andsecure the U-shaped outer end 224, 234 of springs 220, 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, spring 230 is disposed within firstcompartment 32 within housing 20, whereas springs 210, 220 are disposedwithin second compartment 34 within housing 20.

A mounting bracket 310 is provided to attach exercise device 10 to anexternal support. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, mounting bracket30 is designed to attach exercise device 10 to an edge of door or someother generally rectangular structure. It is also contemplated that amounting bracket 310 could be designed to attach exercise device 10 toother structures, such as, by way of example and not limitation, tubularstructural members of a wheelchair or hospital bed.

In the embodiment shown, mounting bracket 310 has a generally U-shapedcross section that defines a rectangular opening 312 that is dimensionedto receive the edge of a door 12, as best seen in FIG. 5. Mountingbracket 310 has two spaced-apart planar panel sections 310 a, 310 bconnected by a bottom panel section 310 c. Mounting bracket 310 definesa rectangular opening 312 dimensioned to receive the edge of door 12. Aboss 322 having a threaded opening 324 therethrough is formed on sidepanel 310 a. Threaded opening 324 is dimensioned to receive a clampingelement in the form of a thumb screw 326. A planar pad 328 is connectedto the free end of thumb screw 326. Pad 328 is dimensioned to be pressedagainst the surface of door 112 when thumb screw 326 is tightened thereagainst.

The edge of side panel 310 a is formed into a sleeve 310 d having anaxially-aligned opening extending therethrough. Sleeve 310 d on mountingbracket 310 is dimensioned to be positioned between mounting lugs 62, 64on first housing section 22. The opening in sleeve 310 d is disposed onmounting bracket 310 to align with the openings in lugs 62, 64 on firsthousing section 22. An elongated pin 332 extends through lugs 62, 64,and sleeve 310 d pivotally connects housing 20 to mounting bracket 310,such that housing 20 is pivotally mounted to mounting bracket 310 aboutthe axis of elongated pivot pin 332.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention, housing 20 includes sensing means, memory means, anddisplay means for respectively sensing, storing, and displayinginformation regarding the operating characteristics of exercise device10. Sensor 412 is disposed relative to spring selector pin 252 todetermine the position thereof. As will be appreciated, the position ofselector pin 252 determines which of springs 210, 220, 230 are connectedto spool 112, and in turn determines the resistance exerted on spool 112to resist movement thereof. In other words, by determining the positionof selector pin 252 relative to spring elements 210, 220, 230 the amountof resistance exerted on spool 112 can be determined. Similarly, asensor arrangement 414 is associated with spool 112 and/or cable 114 tomonitor movement thereof In the embodiment shown, sensor arrangement 414is comprised of a first stationary sensor element 414 a which isstationary to housing 20 and a movable sensor element 414 b which ismounted to collar 112 d of spool 112 for movement therewith. Movement ofsensor element 414 b past sensor element 414 a generates signals whichare indicative of movement of spool 112. Such signals are indicative ofeach time cable 114 is withdrawn and retracted, and such movement ofcable 114 and rotation of spool 112. Such movement is used to determinea repetition of an exercise, as shall be described in greater detailbelow.

A controller 420, schematically illustrated as a circuit board in FIG.9, is provided to receive and process signals from sensor 412 and sensorarrangement 414. In this respect, electrical leads 412 a and 414 cconnect sensor 412 and sensor arrangement 414, respectively tocontroller 420. Using signals from sensor 412 and sensor arrangement414, controller 420 can determine the number of repetitions andresistance applied to spool 112 during a workout routine. Controller 420includes memory means for storing information regarding an exerciseroutine, namely, the number of repetitions and the resistance applied tospool 112. The memory means preferably also includes a timer and counterfor determining and storing the time (rate), interval, and total numberof repetitions.

A display panel 440 on the exterior of housing 20 is connected tocontroller 420. Display panel 440 is provided to display informationstored in the memory of controller 420 regarding use of exercise device10. By way of example and not limitation, display panel 440 may displaythe resistance applied to spool 112 and cable 114 during a routine, thenumber of repetitions during a specific time interval, a desired targetgoal of repetitions, and the current number of repetitions performedduring an exercise routine. Control buttons 442 are provided on thehousing to reset a counting routine or timing routine.

An internal power supply 450 is provided within housing 20. Power supply450 is connected to controller 420 by electrical lead 452. In theembodiment shown, power supply 450 is in the form of a battery 454,shown in phantom in FIG. 9. Battery 454 may be replaceable orrechargeable within housing 20 by an electrical connector (not shown)connectable to an ordinary electrical outlet, as is conventionallyknown.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, controller420 is connected by an electrical lead 462 to a universal (USB) port 460that allows information stored within the processor/memory unit ofcontroller 420 to be transferred to an external device, such as a laptopcomputer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the free endof cable 114 includes a conventional connection device (not shown), suchas a clevis, to facilitate attachments being connected to cable 114. Theattachments may include hand grips, ankle bands, waist bands, a bar, orthe like.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the operation of exercise device 10 shallnow be described in greater detail. The embodiment of exercise device10, shown in the drawings, is adapted for attachment to a conventionaldoor 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 8 illustrates how exercisedevice 10 may also be attached to a headboard 612 of a hospital bed 610.It is also contemplated that exercise device 10 could be also attachedto rectangular or tubular parts of a wheelchair frame or stretcher frame(not shown). In this respect, blocks with V-shaped channels may replacepad 328 and side panel 310 b of mounting bracket 310.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the exercise device 10 may be clamped to any edgeof a door 12 by using thumb screw 326 to clamp the edge to the door 12between pad 328 and side panel 310 b of mounting bracket 310. Withmounting bracket 310 in place, door 12 may be closed to prevent movementof door 12 and exercise device 10 during a workout routine.

Handles or hand grips 512 may be attached to the connectors on the freeend of cable 114 to perform a variety of different arm and upper-bodyexercises. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a shoulder exercise wherein auser “U” pulls against the resistance exerted on cable 114 by internalspring assembly 200. As will be appreciated, as cable 114 is pulled downby the user “U,” the tension of springs 210, 220, 230 increases as oneor more of springs 210, 220, 230 is coiled as cable 114 is pulled fromexercise device 10. Springs 210, 220, 230 exert a resistance to movementof cable 114, thereby providing resistance to the user “ U” so as toexercise the particular muscle group. The tension in springs 210, 220,230 also provides the retraction force to pull cable 114 back intohousing 20 during the return movement of the exercise.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional pull-down exercise for working theshoulders. FIG. 3 illustrates a typical bicep curl for exercising thebicep portion of the arm. FIG. 4 illustrates two exercise devices 10attached to opposite edges of door 12, wherein exercise devices 10 maybe used simultaneously to exercise the upper chest by doing what isreferred to as a “fly” exercise, where the arms are brought together infront of the body.

During each exercise, spool 112 rotates about post 42 in a firstdirection as cable 114 is drawn out of housing 20 through opening 52′ ingrommet 54. As will be appreciated, rotation of spool 112 causeselongated pin 122 that is attached thereto to also rotate in the firstdirection. Because elongated pin 122 rotates with spool 112, the innerends of springs 210, 220, 230 rotate with spool 112 as it moves in thefirst direction. Because outer end 214 of spring 210 is captured by boss92 on second housing section 24, spring 210 always exerts a resistiveforce on rotations of spool 112. Depending upon the position of selectorpin 252, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 5, outer end 224, 234 ofsprings 220 and 230 may be captured by selector pin 252 and preventedfrom rotating, thereby resisting rotation of spool 112. In this respect,the resistance exerted on cable 114 can be varied, depending upon theposition of the selector pin 252. As indicated above, sensor 412 detectsthe position of selector pin 252 and, thus, provides controller 420 withan indication of the position of selector pin 252. Based upon the sensedposition of selector pin 252, controller 420 determines the spring(s)resisting rotation of spool 112 and the resistance exerted on cable 114.Moreover, sensor arrangement 414 provides controller 420 with signalsindicative of the rotation of spool 112. With this information,controller 420 determines a count of the number of repetitions for eachtime cable 114 is withdrawn from housing 20 by the user “U” andretracted into housing 20. Thus, each withdrawal of cable 114 fromhousing 20 during an exercise and each retraction can be counted toprovide an indication of the number of repetitions of a given exercise.In conjunction with this, the resistance exerted on cable 114 can bestored in the memory of controller 420 to provide an indication of thenumber of repetitions at a given resistance.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention,exercise device 10 is designed to be used in conjunction with apre-programmed exercise routine preferably set forth in memory or“online” on a computer 520, illustrated in FIG. 3. A monitor 522 ofcomputer 520 can provide instructions as to the proper positioning ofexercise device 10 on an external support, such as door 12 or headboard612 of a bed 610, and further provide instructions as to the propertechnique and arm motions to perform a given exercise. Still further,preferably the program is specifically designed for a given user “U,”based upon the user's age, health, and capabilities. In other words, aspecific workout routine, including a number of different exercises, canbe provided in a stored computer database and provide a user “U” withvisual indication as to the proper setup of exercise device 10 andproper motions for a given exercise. The program would also provide thedesired resistance setting and number of repetitions to be performed foreach given exercise. The memory within controller 420 of exercise device10 can be programmed to monitor the performance of the “U” by monitoringthe number of repetitions, the resistance, and even the rate at whichthe exercise is performed. By storing and transferring this informationto a pre-programmed routine, the performance and capabilities of theuser “U” can be monitored and the workout routine may be adjusted basedupon the performance of the user “U.”

The present invention thus provides a variable-resistance, portableexercise device 10 that may be used by a wide variety of people in anumber of different locations in conjunction with a pre-programmedworkout routine stored in memory in a computer device. Exercise device10 is suitable for use by users “U” of all ages and capabilities and,likewise, may be used by the elderly and infirmed who are limited to awheelchair or a bed.

The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is describedfor purposes of illustration only, and that numerous alterations andmodifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intendedthat all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as theycome within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalentsthereof.

1. A portable, variable-resistance exercise device comprised of: aretractable cable connected to a spring assembly, the spring assemblyhaving a plurality of springs that are selectively connectable to eachother to vary the resistance exerted on the cable.
 2. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 1, wherein saidretractable cable is wound onto a rotatable spool.
 3. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 2, wherein saidspool is connected to said plurality of springs.
 4. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 3, wherein eachof said plurality of springs is a coiled spring having an inner endconnected to said spool to be rotatable therewith.
 5. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 4, furthercomprising a device selectively connectable to the outer end of each ofsaid plurality of springs.
 6. A portable, variable-resistance exercisedevice as defined in claim 1, further comprising a housing containingsaid spring assembly and rotatable spool, said retractable cable beingattached to said spool and being wound onto and unwound from said spoolbased on rotation of said spool.
 7. A portable, variable-resistanceexercise device as defined in claim 6, further comprising a mountingbracket for attaching said exercise device to an external support.
 8. Aportable, variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 8,further comprising sensors associated with said spool and said cable formonitoring movement of said spool and said cable.
 9. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 8, furthercomprising a controller within said housing connected to said sensor.10. A portable, variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim9, further comprising sensing means for sensing the resistance exertedon said cable, said sensing means connected to said controller.
 11. Aportable, variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 10,further comprising memory means for storing information sensed by saidsensors.
 12. A portable, variable-resistance exercise device as definedin claim 11, further comprising a power supply within said housing forproviding power to said controller, memory means and said sensors.
 13. Aportable, variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 12,wherein said power supply is rechargeable.
 14. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 12, wherein saidhousing includes a communications interface port.
 15. A portable,variable-resistance exercise device as defined in claim 12, furthercomprising a display panel for displaying information from saidcontroller, and input means for controlling the operation of saidcontroller and inputting information into said controller.